We have been in Ariccia for eight days, yet most of us will agree that it has felt like 60 days. We have our nests organized and arranged the way we like. I have a picture board smattered with
photos of family, friends, and pets. We have showers and laundry figured out and things seem to flow smoothly in our personal spaces. My classmates feel like old friends and there is a connection among all of us.
We all joke that we are locals, yet we are just learning how to order a pastry. Even though things were comfortable and fun today, I was uncomfortable and anxious that first day. I was starting a new semester as an Auburn student, but on a different continent, and I knew one person in the program.
Before landing in Italy, I was worried about showers,groceries, teachers, and so many other little things. It wasn’t Auburn’s beautiful campus, lunch with friends at Hey Day, or Samford’s bells. We were all out of our comfort zone.
I relate this to getting a massage. When someone pushes or squeezes a muscle it really hurts, but I don’t tell them to stop. As odd as it sounds, we kind of like the discomfort, because of the result. So, if there is any hesitation about the JSB program, embrace the discomfort and love the results. All the little stressors that I had are gone and that first day feels like a distant memory. As cheesy as it sounds, I can’t imagine starting my last semester anywhere else.
Natalie Oslund
The view from the Palazzo Chigi overlooking a bar in Ariccia.
Seeing all of the beauty that Europe has to offer in nature has been something that I will always remember about my time abroad. I have loved experiencing the culture and what cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice have to offer, but I am a person who thrives in the outdoors. Many people come to Italy not knowing about the beauty that is found outside of the main cities, as I myself came in without full knowledge of what I would find.
In America, I have always been one to choose to go to the beach or the mountains over a big city, and I was hesitant to leave the nature that I am so easily able to surround myself with in America when I chose to come abroad. I thought that I would only be able to spend time in the cities on the weekend, which is something that I looked forward to coming into the program, but I was nervous that I would get burnt out of it quickly.
Last weekend, I had the opportunity to check off a bucket list item that I have had for quite a long time, which is going to the Dolomites. I did not think that I would be able to go see the Dolomites, since it is not as easily accessible as many places in Italy are, and I was unsure if anybody else would want to go with me; however, after talking to different people about their experiences in the Dolomites and putting lots of time into planning, we pulled it off and were able to go!
I have never experienced beauty quite like the Dolomites. Everywhere that I turned my head, I was able to see the snowy landscape and beautiful mountains surrounding me. It is a place that I will never forget and will always be working towards being able to go back.
One of the nights in the Dolomites, we went to a local bar to get hot chocolate to warm us up. It was in a very small town that only comes alive during ski season. We were approached by a local, wondering what it was that four 21 year old girls were doing in such a small, dead town. We explained that we were going from place to place in the surrounding areas, and he was surprised that we knew what the Dolomites were. He told us that there was not much to do in that specific town and told us that we should rather go to Milan or Bologna instead of being there, since that is where the young people go.
This opened up my eyes to really see how some of the most beautiful places in Italy are not commonly known about, because they are not advertised or commonly traveled to. Even the locals who are able to experience the beauty surrounding them in the Dolomites everyday were confused on why we would want to visit there.
From this experience, I have learned that the most beautiful places are not the ones that I see in the most liked Instagram posts or “top ten” lists in the magazines, but that I have to look further to find these places that will be the most unforgettable for me.
Kate Johnson
Sophie Berry, Sara Fewell, and I enjoying the view at Alpe Di Siusi!
I cannot believe that I have been in Italy for two months now; time has flown by! There has been so much I have learned. I’ve learned how to adapt in a new culture, how to live with 12 other people and never have privacy, and even how to reschedule trains when you missed your last three. I think the biggest thing I’ve learned is seeing how God reveals himself everywhere.
I have always lived in Christian community and have surrounded myself with believers who live for the glory of God and chose Him daily. Having my specific community at home not around me constantly for the past two months has helped me have this realization. I have always been taught in church the importance of a community of Christ followers, but for the first time I have truly seen why this is important. A community pushes you in your walk with Christ and helps you know Him more. Even though I haven’t had this particular community while being in Italy, the Lord has still allowed me to know him better.
The Lord has truly shown me his beauty all around. We have walked in and out of different churches, each with so much history. To see that these buildings were made to glorify the Lord and they were built centuries ago leaves me in awe. This puts the term omnipresent in a whole new perspective for me. Yes, God is present everywhere, but his omnipresence also means that he has always been and will always be. When people built churches in the 3rd century it was to glorify the same God that I worship now. What a cool gift that the Lord has put this into perspective for me.
One of my favorite things I have done in Italy was visit Favignana, which is a small island off the coast of Sicily. All 13 of us got to go as an optional field trip one weekend and we were able to have a beach day. I remember laying on the beach staring out at the most beautiful water I have ever seen listening to worship music, and having a tear stream down my face. This was a tear of joy and amazement. I was so amazed at the beauty that the Lord had created before me and that he made it for His glory and that he allowed me to enjoy his beauty. God truly is so loving that he allows us to see his wonderful works and appreciate them. I cannot help but sing praises to God for all that he has blessed this earth with.
I have one more month in Italy and I know the Lord has so much more to teach me. I have come to him with an open heart posture, ready and eager for him to continue transforming my life not only in this next month but for eternity.
Before studying abroad I had always considered traveling outside of the country as something that was a once-in-a-while thing that I was extremely lucky to do. I was also under the impression that trips had to be planned months in advance. While traveling and studying abroad is something that I am extremely lucky to do, studying abroad has made it so much easier for me to travel, plan, and make trips happen in a couple weeks or even days.
I am super lucky to come from a family that values travel and have grown up traveling with them to several countries. However, usually these trips took months and months to set in stone and plan. While I acknowledge that planning for a trip for a 5 person family is much harder than for yourself, I never considered that I would be planning trips to places like Greece in just a couple days. This is definitely one of the luxuries that I have as a student in Europe, which is a super easy place to travel around since it is so small and the EU makes it super easy for me to travel between countries. I also have the luxury of much cheaper travel due to being in and traveling within Europe.
As someone who lives in America and has always heard about the expenses and time it takes to travel to new countries, it was a huge shock that I am so easily able to take a weekend trip to another country, and traveling every weekend is something that I never imagined I would ever be doing, especially at age 21 as a junior in college. Not only is doing all this travel and planning super fun, it is also helping me get so much better at using public transportation, booking hotels and flights, and adapting to changes and plans. It has definitely given me the skill of quick planning for sure.
I am fully savouring these moments and appreciating just how awesome study abroad is. I am so lucky to be able to have this opportunity to travel so many places and gain so much worldly knowledge from doing so. Never in my life would I expect to be doing all this, but I would truly not change a thing. My advice is travel as much as you can and don’t think twice! If you think too much, plans may not happen and you only study abroad once!
Sara Fewell
This is a photo of all of us in Greece! We planned the trip a week before and it ended up being so fun.
Before starting the program, I was so scared of what this experience would be like and if I would get along with everyone else on the trip. I quickly realized how lucky I am to be here with Lydia, Cinzia, Roberta, and all of the other Fall 2023 JSB students.
This semester is special to the program because it is the Joseph S. Bruno Auburn Abroad in Italy 20th year anniversary. The lucky girl syndrome really showed when we were invited to the 20th anniversary party and to a trip in Tuscany to celebrate such a momentous occasion. We were not only celebrating the anniversary, but also the official approval of making renovations to the Chigi Palace to add more bed spaces so more Auburn students can get the opportunity to participate in this program.
The anniversary celebration was such a uniquely beautiful event, and I do not think that I will ever attend anything like it again in my life. The opportunity to meet and spend time with numerous Auburn faculty, guests visiting from the states that love and support our program, and people from Ariccia that continue to welcome JSB students each semester, gave me a better appreciation for all that goes into making the JSB program as amazing as it is. Getting to know so many people that are so supportive of this opportunity and excited for us to be here was very heartwarming.
Overall, I feel so much lucky girl syndrome just from the past five weeks, and I know that I will continue to feel it for the rest of this trip. I am so appreciative of this opportunity and all of the experiences and emotions that have come along with it. I hope that the future Chigi babies all feel and know just how lucky they are to get to experience the wonderful town of Ariccia.
Nicole Fanning
Golden hour before the 20th anniversary party started.
This is a phrase I have lived by my whole life. This phrase guided plans for which college I would attend, what extracurriculars I would participate in, research studies to work on and more. Having this plan provided a rigid outline of life where most of my days would be scheduled down to the minute.
The opportunity to study abroad has changed my perception of what “achievement” is. I used to measure achievement by what I made on an exam, if I was awarded a position in a club or by marking things off of my to-do list. Achievement, now, is when I order a cappuccino correctly in Italian, navigate the metro correctly or eat food I have never tried before. The small victories in life eventually add up.
My main goal coming into this program was to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. This started in the context of not planning my days; however, this mindset has expanded into different dimensions. I take comfort in this phrase when trying to order at a restaurant that does not cater to English-speakers, when I do not have a plan for the weekend, struggling when speaking with locals and being so far from home.
Stepping outside of my comfort zone and experiencing life as it comes has been challenging but so rewarding. I have never had an opportunity that allows me to learn and grow as much as I have in the past 5 weeks.
Learning that it is okay to “be” is sometimes harder said than done. I hope to take this mindset back home by starting to place value in connection and experiences over awards and high scores.
Merrill Ann Culverhouse
Having 0 plans and going with the flow has led to some of my most cherished days.
When an opening for travel arrives, take it- take it and expose yourself to the opportunity. If you were to tell me this is where I would be two years ago, heck, a year ago, I would have not believed you. Spontaneously signing up for this semester abroad has already brought twelve new friendships, cultural understandings, language exposure, learning yet hilarious situations and so much more.
We (the fall 2023 Chigi babies) are on week three of twelve and it already feels as if we have been here for months. There are of course the highest of highs and lowest of lows. Let me tell you, the things posted on instagram are not always what is portrayed in the ways someone may make it seem. For instance, this past weekend a group of us decided to go to Sorrento to see the coast…beautiful, right?
Well if the photos looked aesthetically pleasing for the instagram feed, it did not go that way. The backstory in a summary is the Airbnb took two hours to find but the plus side of that was the house being tinkerbell themed. Our boat tour got canceled, so we took the bus to Positano, took a ferry, and vomit was almost the end result. It poured rain as we walked down the hill, which ended in a smelly wet dog feeling and ruined clothes. As we got to the beach at the bottom, the rain stopped and the sun was shining, so the ferry was our ideal way to get back. However we just missed the last one, and we watched it drive away. We walked back up the hill, to the top, to get on the bus. We did not have seats so we stood for the forty five minute ride and all felt motion sick again. Well the emergency button was pushed, we thought game over and we were about to pay a clean up fee. Anyways, it ended well and we made it back to Sorrento and got gelato.
All in all, it was the best weekend, a weekend that had us all laughing about every moment as we sat on the floor of the train station because we missed our train. We would not want it any other way; fun, spontaneous, and testing of our patience. That is just a glimpse of the plus to studying abroad, the friendships you inherit by learning how to work with each other and being in the moment. To say that, not only do I feel as if this chapter of life is bringing me closer to friends I never knew I needed but also adding cultural skills and adaptability to my tool box.
Shopping in Italy is everything one would think it would be! I have spent the last couple of weeks, amidst all of our wonderful program activities, shopping in just about any city we go to. It is absolutely incredible, and not surprising since we’re in the fashion capital of the world, but there are some things I wish I had known sooner to prepare. One thing is that when you walk into a store, be sure to greet the store owners upon entrance, otherwise you can be given a look of “what is she up to?” No need to be shy or nervous, they are very friendly people! All it takes is a simple “buongiorno” if it’s morning or “buonasera” if it is the afternoon.
Since we are in Ariccia, it can be difficult to find people who speak English and the same goes for the neighboring towns of Albano, Genzano, Nemi, etc. Due to this, there are phrases (if you’re an avid shopper like I am) that would come in very handy to memorize before your first shopping trip! “Vorrei provare quello” means “I would like to try” and then you could use nonverbal language and point to what you would like or learn the phrase for what it is you’re wanting. “Questo va bene” can be used to say “this is good” if you are happy with what you have, are done shopping, or like how something fits. “Cerco una” translates to “I am looking for a” which you can once again finish with nonverbal cues or learn the words for what you are looking for and “posso provarla” means “can I try it.”
There are also some differences in shopping in America versus shopping here in Italy. When I went into a makeup store in Rome, I was a little confused because I saw one of each product but couldn’t find any more product anywhere. I asked an employee, who had to find a colleague that spoke English, and she told me that the product is kept in drawers that the employees find and get for you, not the customer. In shoe stores, you don’t just grab shoes and try them on or touch them like you do in America. You ask an employee for help and they touch and find everything for you. As an American, there can already be a pretty bad stigma attached to you (fortunately you are a JSB American so you have it a little better!), but because of this, you want to try and adapt as much as possible to show the locals you care about their culture and traditions. Being willing to learn this will get you so far!!
Coming to the end of my summer here is a jumble of juxtaposing feelings; I feel so sad to leave this place and these people yet so happy to return home. I am relieved to be returning to familiarity but afraid to no longer be pushed out of my comfort zone daily. I find myself daydreaming about having lunch on the porch with my mom, lying in the yard with my dog, and driving to music with the windows down. But, at the same time, I find myself thinking about all the things I will miss here: seeing the old men congregating in the square, reading at Caffè del Bernini, and going to a fraschetta for dinner. I will miss Cinzia, Roberta, Lydia, Francesco, Mary Lou, and many more who make this program and town a home for us.
While reaching the end of the summer here it is hard not to be looking forward to what is next. I am thinking of packing up my nest, our travel day ahead, and seeing my parents at the airport. A time like this also forces me to reflect on this summer and how I have changed. I remember arriving this summer anxious about some things and thinking I had others already figured out. I could almost laugh at how wrong I had it in the beginning but in the end, looking back, figuring out this position has changed me for the rest of my life.
It is sometimes confusing to have such opposing feelings together, but I think it is a good thing in the end. It means I am lucky enough to have two places I love so much.
I’m sitting at my favorite cafe in Ariccia, Antico Caffè, having my Ciambella (donut) and Cappuccino. Sadly, I caught myself counting down the days left till I get to hug my family, and friends at home. Now, this may seem ungrateful, but I ensure you it’s not.
Coming to Italy I was over the moon with excitement about what was to come this summer. But now, I sit here wishing I was where I know, but also wishing this experience of a lifetime to never end. I’m still trying to find how to be in this moment and enjoy it completely without missing what I don’t have.
Every day in Italy is a beautiful, new experience for me each day poses a challenge in its own way. I remember the first day we arrived, and someone told me to learn to find comfort in things that feel like they have no familiarity. During the first three weeks in Ariccia, I was so excited to live my dream Italian summer. What I did not think to consider at that moment was how homesick I would feel at week eight, or how difficult it is to find comfort in an environment that’s not my normal. As silly as this sounds, I never anticipated missing peanut butter or lemonade with ice so much, not only because they taste good but because they are what is comfortable. This summer has taught me that throughout life there will be some periods that are more uncomfortable than others, and I must find ways for myself to find comfort in them.
Being so far from home has taught me that it is okay to miss these things but to embrace the new and exciting things a new country has invited to my life, as they won’t be in my life forever. So many experiences good and bad, new amazing fresh foods, and people of a completely different background than I, yet, have become some of my favorite individuals. This summer I could have sat in my uncomfortableness and counted down the days till I got to go back to America. Instead, I embraced the challenge and emersed myself in the Italian culture! I will always remember my time in Italy because it was uncomfortable and that’s what made my memories here.
Being out of my comfort zone is a vicious cycle of continually longing for the comfort of being in Auburn but also being so excited about my experiences here. I know that as much as I want to feel a sense of familiarity now, in two months’ time I am going to desire things from Ariccia and all over Italy that are not accessible in America.
Best Wishes,
Julia Barker
Here is a picture of Paolo teaching me how to make a cappuccino! One of the many skills I picked up this summer!
